India have ensured that Australia will need to take seven wickets in the final session of the day to record victory in the third Test in Melbourne.

After declaring on 318-9 to leave India chasing an unlikely target of 384, Australia made a crucial early breakthrough when Ryan Harris trapped Shikhar Dhawan (1) in just the second over.

Mitchell Johnson followed his opening bowling partner's example in the next over by removing Lokesh Rahul, who made just one before delivering a thick edge to Shane Watson at slip.

Murali Vijay was the next to go for 11 when Josh Hazlewood hit the opener with a delivery which Kumar Dharmasena decided was probably clipping leg stump.

Virat Kohli (54*) and Ajinkya Rahane (33*) came together to lead the recovery for the tourists and hold back the charge of Australia's seamers.

There would be nervy moments for the duo as Chris Rogers dropped Rahane at point, before Kohli twice watched fielders miss the stumps when he was short of his crease.

However, the in-form Kohli would pass 50 once again as India moved a step closer to avoiding defeat.